Woodland Park School District News

Sept. 27, 2024

Welcome to the Woodland Park School District e-Newsletter, which is sent out weekly when school is in session. It serves as a glimpse of some of the wonderful things going on in our schools, as well as a point of reference for upcoming events.

Your Partner in Education,

Michele R. Pillari, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools

House Sorting Event

The Memorial Middle School community came together Friday for its annual House Sorting Event. Sixth grade students and transfer students were “sorted” using our sorting cup. Every new member entered one of four houses: House of Fire, House of Earth, House of Wind, House of Water. After the sorting ceremony, the House System peer leaders competed in the first house competitions of the school year: a basketball shooting derby. New staff members were sorted at a faculty meeting at the beginning of the school year.

Start With Hello

Students and staff worked to "Start With Hello" this week! The initiative was created by Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-profit organization founded and led by family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. This program teaches students the skills they need to reach out to those who may feel alone or isolated. It helps create a culture of inclusion and connectedness in the classroom and among their peers.

Start with Hello is an age-appropriate training that raises awareness and educates students about social isolation and how to create a connected and inclusive classroom, school, and community. This program uses three simple steps to help students become aware of and respond better to social isolation.

At Memorial Middle School, students discussed how it is important to connect with others. We can all find something that we are unified in. Each class was able to find their connection.

Valuable Lesson

Students in Ms. Samra's class at Beatrice Gilmore School read the book My Mouth is a Volcano. The story had a lesson on the importance of thinking before you speak and waiting your turn. A discussion was held after the story that it is easy to say words to others, but not easy to take things back. The class then squeezed a tube of toothpaste out and then had to try to get all of the toothpaste back in the tube. The students determined it was easy to squeeze all of the toothpaste out, and harder to get the toothpaste back in, just like we cannot take back what we say.

Making Promises

Classes at School 1 did a few fun activities this past week. They wore green on Wednesday to support the Start With Hello initiative, made a class quilt, and promised to follow what PAWS tells us to do with the handprint promise. Above are students in Ms. Wittig and Mrs. Balduzzi's PreK-4 class. Below are students from Ms. Odaman's PreK-3 class.

Settling In

Mrs. Woessner's students transitioned nicely into their new PreK-4 classroom at the Early Childhood Center. They discussed the importance of following the classroom rules and having good listening skills. The students learned new fingerplays and songs to kick off the school year.

Chipotle Giveback

The Memorial Middle School House System will have a giveback night at Chipotle in Wayne on Tuesday, Oct. 1. To take part, visit in person, access the Chipotle app, or order here. Choose “pickup,” select the location, and build your order. Once you’re ready to place your order, input the online fundraiser code ZQFP7MH in the “Enter a Promo Code” section and click “Apply.” Delivery orders or orders placed through other apps will not be counted towards the fundraiser.

House Sweatshirt Sale

The Memorial Middle School House System is selling House sweatshirt spirit wear. To place an order, click here.

Steered Straight Parent Education Event

Today’s substance abuse pandemic is the worst public social health crisis America has ever seen. The threat to our youth is greater than ever. What are the conversations you need to have? Where does connection fit in with this digital world? Where do we go from here?

Come to the STEERED STRAIGHT parent event on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and hear Michael DeLeon deliver a free seminar that will cover the biggest threats to families including the trifecta gateway - marijuana legalization and commercialization, e-cigarette and vaping trends - and the digital relationship to substance use and abuse. DeLeon is a recovered addict, ex-offender, former gang member, and a national leader in prevention and recovery, addiction advocacy, and criminal justice reform.

Gain a better understanding of the nature of substance abuse and addiction. Find out the origin and process of the current epidemic of opiates and heroin. Learn how tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana have drastically changed as well as the marketing that targets our youth. Learn disorder signs and symptoms to watch for with both adolescents and adults. Become better equipped to speak with your children about substance use disorder and addiction.

Halloween Parade

Registration is now open for the Borough's annual Halloween parade for PreK to 5th grade children, to be held Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10.m. at Dowling Gardens. Registration is required and can be done here.

Softball Clinics

The Woodland Park Recreation Department and the Lady Ravens will present two Sunday softball clinics in October for girls in grades 3-8. Each clinic is $5. To register, click here.

Woodland Park Police Department Faith & Blue

The Woodland Park Police Department will host the fourth annual Faith & Blue event on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Memorial School field/blacktop. The free event is aimed to strengthen community relations between law enforcement and our youth. There will be games and activities, as well as free food, snacks, and drinks. All are welcome!

Before/After Care Activity Assistants Sought

The Borough of Woodland Park Recreation Department is accepting applications for Activity Assistants for its before and after care program in the Woodland Park schools.

Activity assistants help with the development and implementation of student learning activities and experiences, including but not limited to, assisting with homework, activities, and and monitoring of students. Before care activity assistant hours are 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. After care activity assistant hours are 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For a full job description or questions, contact Jay Hersh at jhersh@wpnj.us. For a job application, click here.

Coming up at the Woodland Park Library at Berkeley College

The Alfred Baumann Library, 44 Rifle Camp Rd., will host the following programs. Visit the Library's website here or Facebook page here. Its phone is 973-345-8120. Email is library@abwplibrary.org.

Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. - STEAM Teams for grades 3-6. Explore the concepts of light, shadows, and artistic expression by creating shadow art. Also, experiment with photo-sensitive paper. Register here.

Monday, Sept. 30, 10:30 a.m. - Bouncing Babies for 0 to 18 months. Enjoy songs, rhymes, stories, and free play. Register here.

Monday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. - Dancersize. Join certified instructor, Karen, as she leads the class doing low-impact dancing. It's a great way to get your exercise in while having fun. Don't forget to bring your water to stay hydrated. Register here.

Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m. - Coffee And... Looking for a friend or someone to chat with? Stop by, have a cup of coffee, and... Bring a friend or make some new ones! October's guest will be Joan Herrmann, president of the Board of Health and member of the Stigma Free Task Force. Register here.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m. - Snails & Tales story time for ages 3 and up. Join for a new theme each week, with stories, songs, rhymes, and a craft. Register here.

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. - Unwind With Pat. Join Pat to unwind with the craft of your choice. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 12 p.m. - Sit & Fit. Have fun exercising from the comfort of your chair. Join this lively exercise group and have some fun! Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 4 p.m. - Kids yoga for ages K-3. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. - Bingo for adults. Join us for some games of Bingo and win some great prizes! Register here.

Friday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. - Little Movers story time for ages 18-36 months. Join in for new adventures weekly including stories, rhymes, songs, and play time. Register here.

Friday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. - Lunch and a Movie. Join in for our monthly pizza lunch and a movie. We will be showing "The Long Game." Register here.

Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. - Friends of the Alfred Baumann Library Sweet & Savory Sensations fundraising benefit at the WP American Legion, 410 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Tickets are $40. Click here for tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. - Pokemon Club for all ages. New and experienced trainers are welcome. Time Warp Comics will be in attendance to give advice on building a deck and playing the game. Register here.

Monday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m. - Baumann Book Club meeting. Join in for a lively discussion of the selected title for the month. Copies can be picked up at the Library or downloaded on Libby or Hoopla. Register here.

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m. - History of Hinchliffe Stadium. Join Author Jennifer Ranu as she takes us back in time to describe her experience at the stadium up to the present time. Register here.

Thursday, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. - Found Art with Author Cathy Carr for grades 3-8. Join Cathy Carr, author of "365 Days to Alaska" for a fun and engaging event about American found art. Learn about her latest book "Lost Kites and Other Treasures" and and complete a craft. Register here.